N-((6-trifluoromethylpyrimidin-2-yl)-aminocarbonyl)-2-carboalkoxybenzenesulfonamides, and their use

ABSTRACT

N-((6-Trifluoromethylpyrimidin-2-yl)-aminocarbonyl)-2-carboalkoxybenzenesulfonamides -2-carboalkoxybenzenesulfonamides of the general formula Ia ##STR1## where the substitutents have the following meanings: R 1  is hydrogen or halogen; 
     R 2  is hydrogen, C 1  -C 5  -alkyl, C 3  -C 4  -alkenyl, C 3  -C 4  -alkynyl, C 1  -C 5  -haloalkyl, C 3  -C 5  -alkoxyalkyl, C 3  -C 5  -haloalkoxyalkyl or C 5  -C 6  -cycloalkyl, 
     R 3  is hydrogen, C 1  -C 2  -alkyl, allyl, propargyl or C 1  -C 5  -alkoxy, 
     R 4  is halogen, C 1  -C 2  -alkyl, C 1  -C 3  -alkylamino, 
     R 3  not denoting hydrogen or C 1  -C 2  -alkyl when R 4  is C 1  -2-alkyl, and their environmentally tolerated salts, processes for their manufacture, and their use.

This is a divisional of application Ser. No. 07/337,866, filed Apr. 14, 1989, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,069,710.

The present invention relates to N-((6-trifluoromethylpyrimidin-2-yl)-aminocarbonyl)-2-carboalkoxybenzenesulfonamides of the general formula Ia ##STR2## where R¹ is hydrogen or halogen, R² is hydrogen, C₁ -C₅ -alkyl, C₃ - or C₄ -alkenyl, C₃ - or C₄ -alkynyl, C₁ -C₅ -haloalkyl, C₃ -C₅ -alkoxyalkyl, C₃ -C₅ -haloalkoxyalkyl or C₅ - or C₆ -cycloalkyl, R³ is hydrogen, C₁ - or C₂ -alkyl, allyl, propargyl or C₁ -C₅ -alkoxy and R⁴ is halogen, C₁ - or C₂ -alkyl, C₁ -C₃ -alkylthio or C₁ -C₃ -alkylamino, and R³ is not hydrogen or C₁ - or C₂ -alkyl when R⁴ is C₁ - or C₂ -alkyl, and their environmentally compatible salts, and N-((6-trifluoromethylpyrimidin-2-yl)-aminocarbonyl)-2-carboalkoxybenzenesulfonamides of the general formula Ib ##STR3## where R⁵ is hydrogen, fluorine or chlorine, R⁶ is C₁ -C₃ -alkyl, R⁷ is hydrogen or methyl and R⁸ is hydrogen or C₁ - or C₂ -alkoxy.

The present invention relates in particular to N-((6-trifluoromethylpyrimidin-2-yl)-aminocarbonyl)-2-carboalkoxybenzenesulfonamides of the general formulae Ia and Ib in which R² and R⁶, respectively, are methyl, and those in which R⁴ and R⁸, respectively, are chlorine, methoxy or methylthio.

The present invention furthermore relates to processes for the preparation of the compounds Ia and Ib and herbicides which contain these compounds.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,169,719 discloses sulfonylureas having a herbicidal action. Furthermore, EP-A 7687 describes herbicidal sulfonylureas whose general formula embraces the N-((6-trifluoromethylpyrimidin-2-yl)-aminocarbonyl)-2-carboalkoxybenzenesulfonamides of the general formula Ib, defined at the outset. However, the known agents do not meet all requirements with respect to specific activity against undesirable plants and toleration by crops.

It is an object of the present invention to find and synthesize sulfonylureas which have advantageous properties compared with the known active ingredients of this class of herbicides.

We have found that this object is achieved by the N-((6-trifluoromethylpyrimidinyl-2-yl)-aminocarbonyl)-2-carboalkoxybenzenesulfonamides of the general formulae Ia and Ib, defined at the outset.

A sulfonylurea of the formula Ia or Ib is obtained, for example, by reacting a corresponding compound of the formula IIa or IIb, respectively, ##STR4## with a corresponding compound of the formula IIIa or IIIb, respectively, ##STR5## at a temperature of up to 120° C., preferably from 10° to 100° C., which is conventionally used for organic reactions. The reaction can be carried out under atmospheric or superatmospheric pressure, continuously or batchwise.

The sulfonylureas of the formulae Ia and Ib can also be obtained by reacting a corresponding sulfonamide of the formula IVa or IVb, respectively, ##STR6## with a corresponding phenyl carbamate of the formula Va or Vb, respectively, ##STR7## advantageously in the presence of a tertiary amine at a temperature of up to 120° C., preferably from 10° to 100° C., which is conventionally used for organic reactions.

The sulfonylureas of the formulae Ia and Ib may furthermore be obtained by reacting a corresponding phenyl carbamate of the formula VIa or VIb, respectively, ##STR8## with a corresponding amine of the formula IIIa or IIIb, respectively, ##STR9## advantageously in the presence of a tertiary amine at a temperature of up to 120° C., preferably from 10° to 100° C., which is conventionally used for organic reactions.

Solvents or diluents are advantageously used for the reactions. Examples of suitable solvents are halohydrocarbons, in particular chlorohydrocarbons, e.g. tetrachloroethylene, 1,1,2,2- and 1,1,1,2-tetrachloroethane, dichloropropane, methylene chloride, dichlorobutane, chloroform, chloronaphthalene, dichloronaphthalene, carbon tetrachloride, 1,1,1- and 1,1,2-trichloroethane, trichloroethylene, pentachloroethane, o-, m- and p-difluorobenzene, 1,2-dichloroethane, 1,1-dichloroethane, 1,2-cis-dichloroethylene, chlorobenzene, fluorobenzene, bromobenzene, iodobenzene, o-, m- and p-dichlorobenzene, o-, p- and m-dibromobenzene, o-, m- and p-chlorotoluene and 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene; ethers, e.g. ethyl propyl ether, methyl tert.-butyl ether, n-butyl ethyl ether, di-n-butyl ether, diisobutyl ether, diisoamyl ether, diisopropyl ether, anisole, phenetole, cyclohexyl methyl ether, diethyl ether, ethylene glycol dimethyl ether, tetrahydrofuran, dioxane, thioanisole and β,β'-dichlorodiethyl ether; nitrohydrocarbons, such as o-, m- and p-chloronitrobenzene and o-nitrotoluene; nitriles, such as acetonitrile, butyronitrile, isobutyronitrile, benzonitrile and m-chlorobenzonitrile; aliphatic and cycloaliphatic hydrocarbons, e.g. heptane, pinane, nonane, o-, m- and p-cymene, gasoline fractions boiling within a range of from 70° to 190° C., cyclohexane, methylcyclohexane, decalin, petroleum ether, hexane, naphtha, 2,2,4-trimethylpentane, 2,2,3-trimethylpentane and octane; esters, e.g. ethyl acetate, ethyl acetoacetate and isobutyl acetate; amides, e.g. formamide, methylformamide and dimethylformamide; ketones, e.g. acetone and methyl ethyl ketone, and mixtures of these. The solvent is advantageously used in an amount of from 100 to 2000, preferably from 200 to 700, % by weight, based on the starting materials II, IV or VI.

The compounds III or V required for the reaction are generally used in a roughly stoichiometric ratio. The intermediates II, IV or VI may be initially taken in a diluent and the intermediate III or V then added.

However, the process for the preparation of the novel compounds is advantageously carried out by initially taking the intermediate III or V and adding the intermediate II or IV or VI.

The reactions are generally complete in the course of from 20 minutes to 24 hours at from 0° to 120° C., preferably from 10° to 100° C., in particular from 20° to 80° C.

In the reactions which can be advantageously affected by the presence of a tertiary amine as a reaction accelerator, for example pyridine, 2,4- or 2,6-lutidine, 2,4,6-collidine, α,β-picoline, p-dimethylaminopyridine, 1,4-diaza[2.2.2]bicyclooctane (DABCO) or 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene are used, in an amount of not more than 1 mole per mole of intermediate IV or VI.

If the sulfonylureas are in the form of an acid, the salt can be prepared by reaction with a stoichiometric amount of an aqueous base or of a metal alcoholate, in the presence or absence of an organic solvent. Another possibility is alkaline hydrolysis of the corresponding esters.

The end products are obtained from the particular reaction mixtures in a conventional manner, for example after distilling off solvents or directly by filtration under suction. The remaining residue can furthermore be washed with water or a dilute acid to remove basic impurities. However, it is also possible for the residue to be dissolved in a water-miscible solvent and the solution washed in the manner described. The desired end products are obtained in this case in pure form; if necessary, they can be purified by recrystallization or chromatography.

The compounds of the formulae II, III, IV, V and VI which are required as intermediates can be prepared by reactions known from the literature. For example, the preparation of the starting materials III is described by Gershon (H. Gershon, A. T. Grefig and A. A. Scala, J. Heterocycl. Chem. 20 (1983) 219), or the starting materials can be prepared similarly to the methods described there.

With regard to the biological activity, preferred sulfonylureas of the formula Ia are those in which

R¹ is hydrogen or halogen, such as fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine, in particular hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine or bromine,

R² is hydrogen, alkyl, such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, 1-methylethyl, butyl, 1-methylpropyl, 2-methylpropyl or 1,1-dimethylethyl, in particular methyl, ethyl, propyl, 1-methylethyl or 1-methylpropyl, alkenyl, such as 1-propenyl, 2-propenyl, 1-butenyl, 2-butenyl or 3-butenyl, in particular 2-propenyl or 2-butenyl, alkynyl, such as 1-propynyl, 2-propynyl, 1-butynyl, 2-butynyl or 3-butynyl, in particular 2-propynyl or 2-butynyl, haloalkyl, such as fluoromethyl, difluoromethyl, trifluoromethyl, chlorodifluoromethyl, dichlorofluoromethyl, trichloromethyl, 1-fluoroethyl, 2-fluoroethyl, 2,2-difluoroethyl, 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl, 2-chloro-2,2-difluoroethyl, 2,2-dichloro-2-fluoroethyl, 2,2,2-trichloroethyl or pentafluoroethyl, in particular difluoromethyl, trifluoromethyl, 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl or pentafluoroethyl, alkoxyalkyl, such as 2-methoxyethyl, 2-methoxypropyl, 3-methoxypropyl, 2-methoxy-1-methylethyl, ethoxymethyl, 2-ethoxyethyl, 2-ethoxypropyl, 3-ethoxypropyl, 2-ethoxy-1-methylethyl or 1-ethoxy-1-methylethyl, in particular methoxyethyl or ethoxyethyl, haloalkoxyalkyl, such as difluoromethoxyethyl, trifluoromethoxyethyl, chlorodifluoromethoxyethyl, dichlorofluoromethoxyethyl, 1-fluoroethoxyethyl, 2-fluoroethoxyethyl, 2,2-difluoroethoxyethyl, 1,1,2,2 -tetrafluoroethoxythyl, 2,2,2-trifluoroethoxyethyl, 2-chloro-1,1,2-trifluoroethoxyethyl or pentafluoroethoxyethyl, in particular trifluoromethoxyethyl, or cycloalkyl, such as cyclopentyl or cyclohexyl,

R³ is hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, allyl, propargyl or alkoxy, such as methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, 1-methylethoxy, butoxy, 1-methylpropoxy, 2-methylpropoxy or 1,1-dimethylethoxy, in particular hydrogen, methyl, allyl, propargyl, methoxy or ethoxy, and

R⁴ is halogen as stated for R¹, in particular fluorine, chlorine or bromine, alkylthio, such as methylthio, ethylthio, propylthio or 1-methylethylthio, in particular methylthio, ethylthio or 1-methylethylthio, or alkylamino, such as methylamino, ethylamino, propylamino or 1-methylethylamino, in particular methylamino or ethylamino.

With regard to the biological activity, particularly preferred sulfonylureas of the formula Ib are those in which R⁵ is hydrogen, fluorine or chlorine, R⁶ is, in particular, methyl or ethyl, R⁷ is hydrogen or methyl and R⁸ is hydrogen, methoxy or ethoxy.

Regarding the biological activity, specific examples of herbicidal sulfonylureas of the general formula Ia are summarized in the table below.

                  TABLE                                                            ______________________________________                                          ##STR10##                     Ia                                              R.sup.1                                                                               R.sup.2      R.sup.3      R.sup.4                                       ______________________________________                                         H      CH.sub.3     H            Cl                                            H      C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                             H            Cl                                            H      n-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                                                                           H            Cl                                            H      n-C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                           H            Cl                                            H      i-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                                                                           H            Cl                                            H      sec-C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                         H            Cl                                            H      CH.sub.2 CHCH.sub.2                                                                         H            Cl                                            H      CH.sub.2 CCH H            Cl                                            H      CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 Cl                                                                        H            Cl                                            H      CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OCH.sub.3                                                                 H            Cl                                            H      cyclohexyl   H            Cl                                            H      CH.sub.3     H            OCH.sub.3                                     H      C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                             H            OCH.sub.3                                     H      n-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                                                                           H            OCH.sub.3                                     H      n-C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                           H            OCH.sub.3                                     H      i-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                                                                           H            OCH.sub.3                                     H      sec-C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                         H            OCH.sub.3                                     H      CH.sub.2 CHCH.sub.2                                                                         H            OCH.sub.3                                     H      CH.sub.2 CCH H            OCH.sub.3                                     H      CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 Cl                                                                        H            OCH.sub.3                                     H      CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OCH.sub.3                                                                 H            OCH.sub.3                                     H      cyclohexyl   H            OCH.sub.3                                     H      CH.sub.3     H            OC.sub.2 H.sub.5                              H      C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                             H            OC.sub.2 H.sub.5                              H      n-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                                                                           H            OC.sub.2 H.sub.5                              H      n-C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                           H            OC.sub.2 H.sub.5                              H      i-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                                                                           H            OC.sub.2 H.sub.5                              H      sec-C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                         H            OC.sub.2 H.sub.5                              H      CH.sub.2 CHCH.sub.2                                                                         H            OC.sub.2 H.sub.5                              H      CH.sub.2 CCH H            OC.sub.2 H.sub.5                              H      CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 Cl                                                                        H            OC.sub.2 H.sub.5                              H      CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OCH.sub.3                                                                 H            OC.sub.2 H.sub.5                              H      cyclohexyl   H            OC.sub.2 H.sub.5                              H      CH.sub.3     H            O-i-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                           H      C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                             H            O-i-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                           H      n-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                                                                           H            O-i-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                           H      n-C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                           H            O-i-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                           H      i-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                                                                           H            O-i-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                           H      sec-C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                         H            O-i-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                           H      CH.sub.2 CHCH.sub.2                                                                         H            O-i-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                           H      CH.sub.2CCH  H            O-i-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                           H      CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 Cl                                                                        H            O-i-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                           H      CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OCH.sub.3                                                                 H            O-i-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                           H      cyclohexyl   H            O-i-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                           H      CH.sub.3     H            O-n-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                           H      C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                             H            O-n-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                           H      n-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                                                                           H            O-n-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                           H      n-C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                           H            O-n-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                           H      i-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                                                                           H            O-n-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                           H      sec-C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                         H            O-n-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                           H      CH.sub.2 CHCH.sub.2                                                                         H            O-n-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                           H      CH.sub.2CCH  H            O-n-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                           H      CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 Cl                                                                        H            O-n-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                           H      CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OCH.sub.3                                                                 H            O-n-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                           H      cyclohexyl   H            O-n-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                           H      CH.sub.3     H            NHCH.sub.3                                    H      C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                             H            NHCH.sub.3                                    H      n-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                                                                           H            NHCH.sub.3                                    H      n-C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                           H            NHCH.sub.3                                    H      i-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                                                                           H            NHCH.sub.3                                    H      sec-C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                         H            NHCH.sub.3                                    H      CH.sub.2 CHCH.sub.2                                                                         H            NHCH.sub.3                                    H      CH.sub.2 CCH H            NHCH.sub.3                                    H      CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 Cl                                                                        H            NHCH.sub.3                                    H      CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OCH.sub.3                                                                 H            NHCH.sub.3                                    H      cyclohexyl   H            NHCH.sub.3                                    H      CH.sub.3     H            SCH.sub.3                                     H      C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                             H            SCH.sub.3                                     H      n-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                                                                           H            SCH.sub.3                                     H      n-C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                           H            SCH.sub.3                                     H      i-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                                                                           H            SCH.sub.3                                     H      sec-C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                         H            SCH.sub.3                                     H      CH.sub.2 CHCH.sub.2                                                                         H            SCH.sub.3                                     H      CH.sub.2 CCH H            SCH.sub.3                                     H      CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 Cl                                                                        H            SCH.sub.3                                     H      CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OCH.sub.3                                                                 H            SCH.sub.3                                     H      cyclohexyl   H            SCH.sub.3                                     H      CH.sub.3     H            SC.sub.2 H.sub.5                              H      C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                             H            SC.sub.2 H.sub.5                              H      n-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                                                                           H            SC.sub.2 H.sub.5                              H      n-C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                           H            SC.sub.2 H.sub.5                              H      i-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                                                                           H            SC.sub.2 H.sub.5                              H      sec-C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                         H            SC.sub.2 H.sub.5                              H      CH.sub.2 CHCH.sub.2                                                                         H            SC.sub.2 H.sub.5                              H      CH.sub.2 CCH H            SC.sub.2 H.sub.5                              H      CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 Cl                                                                        H            SC.sub.2 H.sub.5                              H      CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OCH.sub.3                                                                 H            SC.sub.2 H.sub.5                              H      cyclohexyl   H            SC.sub.2 H.sub.5                              H      n-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                                                                           H            SC.sub.3 H.sub.7                              H      CH.sub.3     CH.sub.3     Cl                                            H      C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                             CH.sub.3     Cl                                            H      n-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                                                                           CH.sub.3     Cl                                            H      n-C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                           CH.sub.3     Cl                                            H      i-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                                                                           CH.sub.3     Cl                                            H      sec-C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                         CH.sub.3     Cl                                            H      CH.sub.2 CHCH.sub.2                                                                         CH.sub.3     Cl                                            H      CH.sub.2 C CH                                                                               CH.sub.3     Cl                                            H      CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 Cl                                                                        CH.sub.3     Cl                                            H      CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OCH.sub.3                                                                 CH.sub.3     Cl                                            H      cyclohexyl   CH.sub.3     Cl                                            H      CH.sub.3     CH.sub.3     OCH.sub.3                                     H      C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                             CH.sub.3     OCH.sub.3                                     H      n-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                                                                           CH.sub.3     OCH.sub.3                                     H      n-C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                           CH.sub.3     OCH.sub.3                                     H      i-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                                                                           CH.sub.3     OCH.sub.3                                     H      sec-C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                         CH.sub.3     OCH.sub.3                                     H      CH.sub.2 CHCH.sub.2                                                                         CH.sub.3     OCH.sub.3                                     H      CH.sub.2 CCH CH.sub.3     OCH.sub.3                                     H      CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 Cl                                                                        CH.sub.3     OCH.sub.3                                     H      CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OCH.sub.3                                                                 CH.sub.3     OCH.sub.3                                     H      cyclohexyl   CH.sub.3     OCH.sub.3                                     H      CH.sub.3     CH.sub.3     NHCH.sub.3                                    H      C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                             CH.sub.3     NHCH.sub.3                                    H      n-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                                                                           CH.sub.3     NHCH.sub.3                                    H      n-C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                           CH.sub.3     NHCH.sub.3                                    H      i-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                                                                           CH.sub.3     NHCH.sub.3                                    H      sec-C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                         CH.sub.3     NHCH.sub.3                                    H      CH.sub.2 CHCH.sub.2                                                                         CH.sub.3     NHCH.sub.3                                    H      CH.sub.2 CCH CH.sub.3     NHCH.sub.3                                    H      CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 Cl                                                                        CH.sub.3     NHCH.sub.3                                    H      CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OCH.sub.3                                                                 CH.sub.3     NHCH.sub.3                                    H      cyclohexyl   CH.sub.3     NHCH.sub.3                                    H      CH.sub.3     OCH.sub.3    Cl                                            H      C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                             OCH.sub.3    Cl                                            H      n-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                                                                           OCH.sub.3    Cl                                            H      n-C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                           OCH.sub.3    Cl                                            H      i-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                                                                           OCH.sub.3    Cl                                            H      sec-C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                         OCH.sub.3    Cl                                            H      CH.sub.2 CHCH.sub.2                                                                         OCH.sub.3    Cl                                            H      CH.sub.2 CCH OCH.sub.3    Cl                                            H      CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 Cl                                                                        OCH.sub.3    Cl                                            H      CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OCH.sub.3                                                                 OCH.sub.3    Cl                                            H      cyclohexyl   OCH.sub.3    Cl                                            H      CH.sub.3     OCH.sub.3    OCH.sub.3                                     H      C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                             OCH.sub.3    OCH.sub.3                                     H      n-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                                                                           OCH.sub.3    OCH.sub.3                                     H      n-C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                           OCH.sub.3    OCH.sub.3                                     H      i-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                                                                           OCH.sub.3    OCH.sub.3                                     H      sec-C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                         OCH.sub.3    OCH.sub.3                                     H      CH.sub.2 CHCH.sub.2                                                                         OCH.sub.3    OCH.sub.3                                     H      CH.sub.2 CCH OCH.sub.3    OCH.sub.3                                     H      CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 Cl                                                                        OCH.sub.3    OCH.sub.3                                     H      CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OCH.sub.3                                                                 OCH.sub.3    OCH.sub.3                                     H      cyclohexyl   OCH.sub.3    OCH.sub.3                                     H      CH.sub.3     OCH.sub.3    CH.sub.3                                      H      C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                             OCH.sub.3    CH.sub.3                                      H      n-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                                                                           OCH.sub.3    CH.sub.3                                      H      n-C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                           OCH.sub.3    CH.sub.3                                      H      i-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                                                                           OCH.sub.3    CH.sub.3                                      H      sec-C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                         OCH.sub.3    CH.sub.3                                      H      CH.sub.2 CHCH.sub.2                                                                         OCH.sub.3    CH.sub.3                                      H      CH.sub.2 CCH OCH.sub.3    CH.sub.3                                      H      CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 Cl                                                                        OCH.sub.3    CH.sub.3                                      H      CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OCH.sub.3                                                                 OCH.sub.3    CH.sub.3                                      H      cyclohexyl   OCH.sub.3    CH.sub.3                                      H      CH.sub.3     OCH.sub.3    NHCH.sub.3                                    H      C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                             OCH.sub.3    NHCH.sub.3                                    H      n-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                                                                           OCH.sub.3    NHCH.sub.3                                    H      n-C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                           OCH.sub.3    NHCH.sub.3                                    H      i-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                                                                           OCH.sub.3    NHCH.sub.3                                    H      sec-C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                         OCH.sub.3    NHCH.sub.3                                    H      CH.sub.2 CHCH.sub.2                                                                         OCH.sub.3    NHCH.sub.3                                    H      CH.sub.2 CCH OCH.sub.3    NHCH.sub.3                                    H      CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 Cl                                                                        OCH.sub.3    NHCH.sub.3                                    H      CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OCH.sub.3                                                                 OCH.sub.3    NHCH.sub.3                                    H      cyclohexyl   OCH.sub.3    NHCH.sub.3                                    H      CH.sub.3     CH.sub.2 CHCH.sub.2                                                                         Cl                                            H      C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                             CH.sub.2 CHCH.sup.2                                                                         Cl                                            H      n-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                                                                           CH.sub.2 CHCH.sub.2                                                                         Cl                                            H      n-C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                           CH.sub.2 CHCH.sub.2                                                                         Cl                                            H      i-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                                                                           CH.sub.2 CHCH.sub.2                                                                         Cl                                            H      sec-C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                         CH.sub.2 CHCH.sub.2                                                                         Cl                                            H      CH.sub.2 CHCH.sub.2                                                                         CH.sub.2 CHCH.sub.2                                                                         Cl                                            H      CH.sub.2 CCH CH.sub.2 CHCH.sub.2                                                                         Cl                                            H      CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 Cl                                                                        CH.sub.2 CHCH.sub.2                                                                         Cl                                            H      CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OCH.sub.3                                                                 CH.sub.2 CHCH.sub.2                                                                         Cl                                            H      cyclohexyl   CH.sub.2 CHCH.sub.2                                                                         Cl                                            H      CH.sub.3     CH.sub.2 CHCH.sub.2                                                                         OCH.sub.3                                     H      C.sub. 2 H.sub.5                                                                            CH.sub.2 CHCH.sub.2                                                                         OCH.sub.3                                     H      n-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                                                                           CH.sub.2 CHCH.sub.2                                                                         OCH.sub.3                                     H      n-C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                           CH.sub.2 CHCH.sub.2                                                                         OCH.sub.3                                     H      i-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                                                                           CH.sub.2 CHCH.sub.2                                                                         OCH.sub.3                                     H      sec-C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                         CH.sub.2 CHCH.sub.2                                                                         OCH.sub.3                                     H      CH.sub.2 CHCH.sub.2                                                                         CH.sub.2 CHCH.sub.2                                                                         OCH.sub.3                                     H      CH.sub.2 CCH CH.sub.2 CHCH.sub.2                                                                         OCH.sub.3                                     H      CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 Cl                                                                        CH.sub.2 CHCH.sub.2                                                                         OCH.sub.3                                     H      CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OCH.sub.3                                                                 CH.sub.2 CHCH.sub.2                                                                         OCH.sub.3                                     H      cyclohexyl   CH.sub.2 CHCH.sub.2                                                                         OCH.sub.3                                     H      CH.sub.3     CH.sub.2 CHCH.sub.2                                                                         CH.sub.3                                      H      C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                             CH.sub.2 CHCH.sub.2                                                                         CH.sub.3                                      H      n-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                                                                           CH.sub.2 CHCH.sub.2                                                                         CH.sub.3                                      H      n-C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                           CH.sub.2 CHCH.sub.2                                                                         CH.sub.3                                      H      i-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                                                                           OCH.sub.3    CH.sub.3                                      H      sec-C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                         OCH.sub.3    CH.sub.3                                      H      CH.sub.2 CHCH.sub.2                                                                         OCH.sub.2    CH.sub.3                                      H      CH.sub.2 CCH OCH.sub.3    CH.sub.3                                      H      CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 Cl                                                                        OCH.sub.3    CH.sub.3                                      H      CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OCH.sub.3                                                                 OCH.sub.3    CH.sub.3                                      H      cyclohexyl   OCH.sub.3    CH.sub.3                                      H      CH.sub.3     CH.sub.2 CHCH.sub.2                                                                         NHCH.sub.3                                    H      C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                             CH.sub.2 CHCH.sub.2                                                                         NHCH.sub.3                                    H      n-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                                                                           CH.sub.2 CHCH.sub.2                                                                         NHCH.sub.3                                    H      n-C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                           CH.sub.2 CHCH.sub.2                                                                         NHCH.sub.3                                    H      i-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                                                                           CH.sub.2 CHCH.sub.2                                                                         NHCH.sub.3                                    H      sec-C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                         CH.sub.2 CHCH.sub.2                                                                         NHCH.sub.3                                    H      CH.sub.2 CHCH.sub.2                                                                         CH.sub.2 CHCH.sub.2                                                                         NHCH.sub.3                                    H      CH.sub.2 CCH CH.sub.2 CHCH.sub.2                                                                         NHCH.sub.3                                    H      CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 Cl                                                                        CH.sub.2 CHCH.sub.2                                                                         NHCH.sub.3                                    H      CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OCH.sub.3                                                                 CH.sub.2 CHCH.sub.2                                                                         NHCH.sub.3                                    H      cyclohexyl   CH.sub.2 CHCH.sub.2                                                                         NHCH.sub.3                                    Cl     CH.sub.3     H            Cl                                            Cl     C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                             H            Cl                                            Cl     n-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                                                                           H            Cl                                            Cl     n-C.sub.6 H.sub.9                                                                           H            Cl                                            Cl     i-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                                                                           H            Cl                                            Cl     sec-C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                         H            Cl                                            Cl     CH.sub.2 CHCH.sub.2                                                                         H            Cl                                            Cl     CH.sub.2 CCH H            Cl                                            Cl     CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 Cl                                                                        H            Cl                                            Cl     CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OCH.sub.3                                                                 H            Cl                                            Cl     cyclohexyl   H            Cl                                            Cl     CH.sub.3     H            OCH.sub.3                                     Cl     C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                             H            OCH.sub.3                                     Cl     n-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                                                                           H            OCH.sub.3                                     Cl     n-C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                           H            OCH.sub.3                                     Cl     i-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                                                                           H            OCH.sub.3                                     Cl     sec-C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                         H            OCH.sub.3                                     Cl     CH.sub.2 CHCH.sub.2                                                                         H            OCH.sub.3                                     Cl     CH.sub.2 CCH H            OCH.sub.3                                     Cl     CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 Cl                                                                        H            OCH.sub.3                                     Cl     CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OCH.sub.3                                                                 H            OCH.sub.3                                     Cl     cyclohexyl   H            OCH.sub.3                                     Cl     CH.sub.3     CH.sub.3     Cl                                            Cl     C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                             CH.sub.3     Cl                                            Cl     n-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                                                                           CH.sub.3     Cl                                            Cl     n-C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                           CH.sub.3     Cl                                            Cl     i-C.sub. 3 H.sub.7                                                                          CH.sub.3     Cl                                            Cl     sec-C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                         CH.sub.3     Cl                                            Cl     CH.sub.2 CHCH.sub.2                                                                         CH.sub.3     Cl                                            Cl     CH.sub.2 CCH CH.sub.3     Cl                                            Cl     CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 Cl                                                                        CH.sub.3     Cl                                            Cl     CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OCH.sub.3                                                                 CH.sub.3     Cl                                            Cl     cyclohexyl   CH.sub.3     Cl                                            Cl     CH.sub.3     CH.sub.3     OCH.sub.3                                     Cl     C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                             CH.sub.3     OCH.sub.3                                     Cl     n-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                                                                           CH.sub.3     OCH.sub.3                                     Cl     n-C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                           CH.sub.3     OCH.sub.3                                     Cl     i-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                                                                           CH.sub.3     OCH.sub.3                                     Cl     sec-C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                         CH.sub.3     OCH.sub.3                                     Cl     CH.sub.2 CHCH.sub.2                                                                         CH.sub.3     OCH.sub.3                                     Cl     CH.sub.2 CCH CH.sub.3     OCH.sub.3                                     Cl     CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 Cl                                                                        CH.sub.3     OCH.sub.3                                     Cl     CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OCH.sub.3                                                                 CH.sub.3     OCH.sub.3                                     Cl     cyclohexyl   CH.sub.3     OCH.sub.3                                     F      CH.sub.3     H            Cl                                            F      C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                             H            Cl                                            F      n-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                                                                           H            Cl                                            F      n-C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                           H            Cl                                            F      i-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                                                                           H            Cl                                            F      sec-C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                         H            Cl                                            F      CH.sub.2 CHCH.sub.2                                                                         H            Cl                                            F      CH.sub.2 CCH H            Cl                                            F      CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 Cl                                                                        H            Cl                                            F      CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OCH.sub.3                                                                 H            Cl                                            F      cyclohexyl   H            Cl                                            F      CH.sub.3     H            OCH.sub.3                                     F      C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                             H            OCH.sub.3                                     F      n-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                                                                           H            OCH.sub.3                                     F      n-C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                           H            OCH.sub.3                                     F      i-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                                                                           H            OCH.sub.3                                     F      sec-C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                         H            OCH.sub.3                                     F      CH.sub.2 CHCH.sub.2                                                                         H            OCH.sub.3                                     F      CH.sub.2 CCH H            OCH.sub.3                                     F      CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 Cl                                                                        H            OCH.sub.3                                     F      CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OCH.sub.3                                                                 H            OCH.sub.3                                     F      cyclohexyl   H            OCH.sub.3                                     F      CH.sub.3     H            SCH.sub.3                                     F      CH.sub.3     CH.sub.3     Cl                                            F      C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                             CH.sub.3     Cl                                            F      n-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                                                                           CH.sub.3     Cl                                            F      n-C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                           CH.sub.3     Cl                                            F      i-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                                                                           CH.sub.3     Cl                                            F      sec-C.sub.4 H.sub. 9                                                                        CH.sub.3     Cl                                            F      CH.sub.2 CHCH.sub.2                                                                         CH.sub.3     Cl                                            F      CH.sub.2 CCH CH.sub.3     Cl                                            F      CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 Cl                                                                        CH.sub.3     Cl                                            F      CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OCH.sub.3                                                                 CH.sub.3     Cl                                            F      cyclohexyl   CH.sub.3     Cl                                            F      CH.sub.3     CH.sub.3     OCH.sub.3                                     F      C.sub.2 H.sub.5                                                                             CH.sub.3     OCH.sub.3                                     F      n-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                                                                           CH.sub.3     OCH.sub.3                                     F      n-C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                           CH.sub.3     OCH.sub.3                                     F      i-C.sub.3 H.sub.7                                                                           CH.sub.3     OCH.sub.3                                     F      sec-C.sub.4 H.sub.9                                                                         CH.sub.3     OCH.sub.3                                     F      CH.sub.2 CHCH.sub.2                                                                         CH.sub.3     OCH.sub.3                                     F      CH.sub.2 CCH CH.sub.3     OCH.sub.3                                     F      CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 Cl                                                                        CH.sub.3     OCH.sub.3                                     F      CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OCH.sub.3                                                                 CH.sub.3     OCH.sub.3                                     F      cyclohexyl   CH.sub.3     OCH.sub.3                                     ______________________________________                                    

The N-((6-trifluoromethylpyrimidin-2-yl)-aminocarbonyl)-2-carboalkoxybenzenesulfonamides of the general formulae Ia and Ib, or herbicidal agents containing them, and the environmentally tolerated salts of alkali metals and alkaline earth metals, combat injurious plants excellently without damaging crop plants--an effect which is particularly apparent at low application rates. They may be applied for instance in the form of directly sprayable solutions, powders, suspensions (including high-percentage aqueous, oily or other suspensions), dispersions, emulsions, oil dispersions, pastes, dusts, broadcasting agents, or granules by spraying, atomizing, dusting, broadcasting or watering. The forms of application depend entirely on the purpose for which the agents are being used, but they must ensure as fine a distribution of the active ingredients according to the invention as possible.

The compounds Ia and Ib are suitable for the preparation of solutions, emulsions, pastes and oil dispersions to be sprayed direct. Examples of inert additives are mineral oil fractions of medium to high boiling point, such as kerosene or diesel oil, further coal-tar oils, and oils of vegetable or animal origin, aliphatic, cyclic and aromatic hydrocarbons such as toluene, xylene, paraffin, tetrahydronaphthalene, alkylated naphthalenes and their derivatives, methanol, ethanol, propanol, butanol, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, cyclohexanol, cyclohexanone, chlorobenzene, isophorone, etc., and strongly polar solvents such as N,N-dimethylformamide, dimethyl sulfoxide, N-methylpyrrolidone, water, etc.

Aqueous formulations may be prepared from emulsion concentrates, pastes, dispersions, wettable powders or water-dispersible granules by adding water. To prepare emulsions, pastes and oil dispersions the ingredients as such or dissolved in an oil or solvent may be homogenized in water by means of wetting or dispersing agents, adherents or emulsifiers. Concentrates which are suitable for dilution with water may be prepared from active ingredient, wetting agent, adherent, emulsifying or dispersing agent and possibly solvent or oil.

Examples of surfactants are: alkali metal, alkaline earth metal and ammonium salts of ligninsulfonic acid, naphthalenesulfonic acids, phenolsulfonic acids, alkylaryl sulfonates, alkyl sulfates, and alkyl sulfonates, alkali metal and alkaline earth metal salts of dibutylnaphthalenesulfonic acid, lauryl ether sulfate, fatty alcohol sulfates, alkali metal and alkaline earth metal salts of fatty acids, salts of sulfated hexadecanols, heptadecanols, and octadecanols, salts of sulfated fatty alcohol glycol ethers, condensation products of sulfonated naphthalene and naphthalene derivatives with formaldehyde, condensation products of naphthalene or naphthalenesulfonic acids with phenol and formaldehyde, polyoxyethylene octylphenol ethers, ethoxylated isooctylphenol, ethoxylated octylphenol and ethoxylated nonylphenol, alkylphenol polyglycol ethers, tributylphenyl polyglycol ethers, alkylaryl polyether alcohols, isotridecyl alcohol, fatty alcohol ethylene oxide condensates, ethoxylated castor oil, polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers, ethoxylated polyoxypropylene, lauryl alcohol polyglycol ether acetal, sorbitol esters, lignin, sulfite waste liquors and methyl cellulose.

Powders, dusts and broadcasting agents may be prepared by mixing or grinding the active ingredients with a solid carrier.

Granules, e.g., coated, impregnated or homogeneous granules, may be prepared by bonding the active ingredients to solid carriers. Examples of solid carriers are mineral earths such as silicic acid, silica gels, silicates, talc, kaolin, attapulgus clay, limestone, lime, chalk, bole, loess, clay, dolomite, diatomaceous earth, calcium sulfate, magnesium sulfate, magnesium oxide, ground plastics, fertilizers such as ammonium sulfate, ammonium phosphate, ammonium nitrate, and ureas, and vegetable products such as grain flours, bark meal, wood meal, and nutshell meal, cellulosic powders, etc.

The formulations contain from 0.1 to 95, and preferably 0.5 to 90% by weight of active ingredient.

The active ingredients may be formulated for instance as follows:

I. 90 parts by weight of compound no. 1.012 in mixed with 10 parts by weight of N-methyl-alpha-pyrrolidone. A mixture is obtained which is suitable for application in the form of very fine drops.

II. 20 parts by weight of compound no. 1.005 is dissolved in a mixture consisting of 80 parts by weight of xylene, 10 parts by weight of the adduct of 8 to 10 moles of ethylene oxide and 1 mole of oleic acid-N-monoethanolamide, 5 parts by weight of the calcium salt of dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid, and 5 parts by weight of the adduct of 40 moles of ethylene oxide and 1 mole of castor oil. By pouring the solution into 100,000 parts by weight of water and uniformly distributing it therein, an aqueous dispersion is obtained containing 0.02% by weight of the active ingredient.

III. 20 parts by weight of compound no. 1.017 is dissolved in a mixture consisting of 40 parts by weight of cyclohexanone, 30 parts by weight of isobutanol, 20 parts by weight of the adduct of 7 moles of ethylene oxide and 1 mole of isooctylphenol, and 10 parts by weight of the adduct of 40 moles of ethylene oxide and 1 mole of castor oil. By pouring the solution into 100,000 parts by weight of water and finely distributing it therein, an aqueous dispersion is obtained containing 0.02% by weight of the active ingredient.

IV. 20 parts by weight of compound no. 1.012 is dissolved in a mixture consisting of 25 parts by weight of cyclohexanone, 65 parts by weight of a mineral oil fraction having a boiling point between 210° and 280° C., and 10 parts by weight of the adduct of 40 moles of ethylene oxide and 1 mole of castor oil. By pouring the solution into 100,000 parts by weight of water and uniformly distributing it therein, an aqueous dispersion is obtained containing 0.02% by weight of the active ingredient.

V. 20 parts by weight of compound no. 1.010 is well mixed with 3 parts by weight of the sodium salt of diisobutylnaphthalene-alpha-sulfonic acid, 17 parts by weight of the sodium salt of a lignin-sulfonic acid obtained from a sulfite waste liquor, and 60 parts by weight of powdered silica gel, and triturated in a hammer mill. By uniformly distributing the mixture in 20,000 parts by weight of water, a spray liquor is obtained containing 0.1% by weight of the active ingredient.

VI. 3 parts by weight of compound no. 1.009 is intimately mixed with 97 parts by weight of particulate kaolin. A dust is obtained containing 3% by weight of the active ingredient.

VII. 30 parts by weight of compound no. 2.001 is intimately mixed with a mixture consisting of 92 parts by weight of powdered silica gel and 8 parts by weight of paraffin oil which has been sprayed onto the surface of this silica gel. A formulation of the active ingredient is obtained having good adherence.

VIII. 20 parts by weight of compound no. 2.009 is intimately mixed with 2 parts of the calcium salt of dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid, 8 parts of a fatty alcohol polyglycol ether, 2 parts of the sodium salt of a phenolsulfonic acid-urea-formaldehyde condensate and 68 parts of a paraffinic mineral oil. A stable oily dispersion is obtained.

The active ingredients may be applied pre- or postemergence. If certain crop plants tolerate the active ingredients less well, application techniques may be used in which the herbicidal agents are sprayed from suitable equipment in such a manner that the leaves of sensitive crop plants are if possible not touched, and the agents reach the soil or the unwanted plants growing beneath the crop plants (post-directed, lay-by treatment).

The application rates depend on the objective to be achieved, the time of the year, the plants to be combated and their growth stage, and are from 0.001 to 5.0, preferably 0.005 to 1.0, kg of active ingredient per hectare.

In view of the number of application methods possible, the compounds according to the invention, or agents containing them, may be used in a further large number of crops for removing unwanted plants. The following crops are given by way of example:

    ______________________________________                                         Botanical name        Common name                                              ______________________________________                                         Allium cepa           onions                                                   Ananas comosus        pineapples                                               Arachis hypogaea      peanuts (ground-                                                               nuts)                                                    Asparagus officinalis asparagus                                                Avena sativa          oats                                                     Beta vulgaris spp. altissima                                                                         sugarbeets                                               Beta vulgaris spp. rapa                                                                              fodder beets                                             Beta vulgaris spp. esculenta                                                                         table beets, red                                                               beets                                                    Brassica napus var. napus                                                                            rapeseed                                                 Brassica napus var. napobrassica                                                                     swedes                                                   Brassica napus var. rapa                                                                             turnips                                                  Brassica rapa var. silvestris                                                  Camellia sinensis     tea plants                                               Carthamus tinctorius  safflower                                                Carya illinoinensis   pecan trees                                              Citrus limon          lemons                                                   Citrus maxima         grapefruits                                              Citrus reticulata     mandarins                                                Citrus sinensis       orange trees                                             Coffea arabica (Coffea canephora,                                                                    coffee plants                                            Coffea liberica)                                                               Cucumis melo          melons                                                   Cucumis sativus       cucumbers                                                Cynodon dactylon      Bermudagrass                                             Daucus carota         carrots                                                  Elais guineensis      oil palms                                                Fragaria vesca        strawberries                                             Glycine max           soybeans                                                 Gossypium hirsutum (Gossypium                                                                        cotton                                                   arboreum,                                                                      Gossypium herbaceum, Gossypium                                                 vitifolium)                                                                    Helianthus annuus     sunflowers                                               Helianthus tuberosus  Jerusalem artichoke                                      Hevea brasiliensis    rubber plants                                            Hordeum vulgare       barley                                                   Humulus lupulus       hops                                                     Ipomoea batatas       sweet potatoes                                           Juglans regia         walnut trees                                              Lactuca sativa       lettuce                                                  Lens culinaris        lentils                                                  Linum usitatissimum   flax                                                     Lycopersicon lycopersicum                                                                            tomatoes                                                 Malus spp.            apple trees                                              Manihot esculenta     cassava                                                  Medicago sativa       alfalfa (lucerne)                                        Mentha piperita       peppermint                                               Musa spp.             banana plants                                            Nicotiana tabacum (N. rustica)                                                                       tobacco                                                  Olea europaea         olive trees                                              Oryza sativa          rice                                                     Panicum miliaceum     millet                                                   Phaseolus lunatus     limabeans                                                Phaseolus mungo       mungbeans                                                Phaseolus vulgaris    snapbeans, green                                                               beans, dry beans                                         Pennisetum glaucum    pearl millet                                             Petroselinum crispum spp. tuberosum                                                                  parsley                                                  Picea abies           Norway spruce                                            Abies alba            fir trees                                                Pinus spp.            pine trees                                               Pisum sativum         English peas                                             Prunus avium          cherry trees                                             Prunus domestica      plum trees                                               Prunus dulcis         almond trees                                             Prunus persica        peach trees                                              Pyrus communis        pear trees                                               Ribes sylvestre       redcurrants                                              Ribes uva-crispa      gooseberries                                             Ricinus communis      castor-oil plants                                        Saccharum officinarum sugar cane                                               Secale cereale        rye                                                      Sesamum indicum       sesame                                                   Solanum tuberosum     Irish potatoes                                           Sorghum bicolor (s. vulgare)                                                                         sorghum                                                  Sorghum dochna        sorgo                                                    Spinacia oleracea     spinach                                                  Theobroma cacao       cacao plants                                             Trifolium pratense    red clover                                               Triticum aestivum     wheat                                                    Triticum durum        durum wheat                                              Vaccinium corymbosum  blueberries                                              Vaccinium vitis-idaea cranberries                                              Vicia faba            tick beans                                               Vigna sinensis (V. unguiculata)                                                                      cow peas                                                 Vitis vinifera        grapes                                                   Zea mays              Indian corn, sweet                                                             corn, maize                                              ______________________________________                                    

To increase the spectrum of action and to achieve synergistic effects, the sulfonylureas of the formula Ia and Ib may be mixed and applied together with numerous representatives of other herbicidal or growth-regulating active ingredient groups. Examples of suitable components are diazines, 4H-3,1-benzoxazine derivatives, benzothiadiazinones, 2,6-dinitroanilines, N-phenylcarbamates, thiolcarbamates, halocarboxylic acids, triazines, amides, ureas, diphenyl ethers, triazinones, uracils, benzofuran derivatives, cyclohexane-1,3-dione derivatives, quinolinecarboxylic acids, phenyloxy- or heteroaryloxy-phenylpropionic acids and salts, esters and amides thereof, etc.

It may also be useful to apply the novel compounds of the formula Ia and Ib, either alone or in combination with other herbicides, in admixture with other crop protection agents, e.g., agents for combating pests or phytopathogenic fungi or bacteria. The compounds may also be mixed with solutions of mineral salts used to remedy nutritional or trace element deficiencies. Non-phytotoxic oils and oil concentrates may also be added.

SYNTHESIS EXAMPLE Methyl 2-(((4-methoxy-6-trifluoromethyl-1,3-pyrimidin-2-yl)-aminocarbonyl)-aminosulfonyl)-benzoate

At room temperature, 6.5 g of methyl 2-(isocyanatosulfonyl)-benzoate in 50 ml of absolute acetonitrile was introduced over a period of 10 minutes, with stirring and under a nitrogen blanket, to a suspension of 5.2 g of 2-amino-4-methoxy-6-trifluoromethylpyrimidine in 100 ml of absolute acetonitrile. The temperature rose by 10° C. After the reaction mixture had been stirred for 13 hours at 70° C., it was evaporated down and the residue was taken up in dichloromethane. The organic phase was washed once with 1N hydrochloric acid and once with 1N sodium hydroxide solution, dried with sodium sulfate and filtered. After the solvent had been stripped off, there was obtained 9.7 g of the title compound having a melting point of 150°-151° C.

The compounds given in the following tables were prepared by modifying the above example.

                  ACTIVE INGREDIENT TABLE 1                                        ______________________________________                                          ##STR11##                     Ia                                              Compound                                                                       No.     R.sup.1                                                                               R.sup.2   R.sup.3                                                                             R.sup.4  mp(°)                            ______________________________________                                         1.001   H      CH.sub.3  H    Cl       176-177                                 1.002   H      CH.sub.3  H    OCH(CH.sub.3).sub.2                                                                     170-173                                 1.003   H      CH.sub.3  H    NHCH.sub.3                                                                              115-117                                 1.004   H      CH.sub.3  H    SCH.sub.3                                                                               155-157                                 1.005   H      CH.sub.3  H    SCH.sub.2 CH.sub.3                                                                      71-73                                   1.006   H      CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3                                                                        H    SCH.sub.3                                                                               114-117                                 1.007   H      (CH.sub.2).sub.2 CH.sub.3                                                                H    SCH.sub.3                                                                               146-148                                 1.008   H      (CH.sub.2).sub.2 CH.sub.3                                                                H    S(CH.sub.2).sub.2 CH.sub.3                                                              146-148                                 1.009   F      CH.sub.3  H    Cl       86-87                                   1.010   F      CH.sub.3  H    SCH.sub.3                                                                               181- 187                                1.011   H      CH.sub.3  H    S(CH.sub.2).sub.2 CH.sub.3                                                              188-189                                 1.012   Cl     CH.sub.3  H    SCH.sub.3                                                                               204-206                                 ______________________________________                                    

                  ACTIVE INGREDIENT TABLE 2                                        ______________________________________                                          ##STR12##                     Ib                                              Compound                                                                       No.     R.sup.5                                                                               R.sup.6   R.sup.7                                                                              R.sup.8 mp(°)                            ______________________________________                                         2.001   H      CH.sub.3  H     H       160-168                                 2.002   H      CH.sub.3  H     OCH.sub.3                                                                              150-151                                 2.003   H      CH.sub.3  H     OCH.sub.2 CH.sub.3                                                                     150-152                                 2.004   H      CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3                                                                        H     OCH.sub.3                                                                              147-149                                 2.005   H      CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3                                                                        H     OCH.sub.2 CH.sub.3                                                                     130-132                                 2.006   H      (CH.sub.2).sub.2 CH.sub.3                                                                H     OCH.sub.3                                                                              200-202                                 2.007   H      CH.sub.3  CH.sub.3                                                                             OCH.sub.3                                                                              137-139                                 2.008   Cl     CH.sub.3  H     OCH.sub.3                                                                              208-211                                 2.009   F      CH.sub.3  H     OCH.sub.3                                                                              179-182                                 ______________________________________                                    

The herbicidal action of the N-[(6-trifluoromethylpyrimidin-2-yl)-aminocarbonyl]-2-carboalkoxybenzenesulfonamides of the formulae Ia and Ib on plant growth is demonstrated by the following greenhouse experiments:

The vessels employed were plastic flowerpots having a volume of 300 cm³ and filled with a sandy loam containing about 3.0% humus. The seeds of the test plants were sown separately, according to species.

For the preemergence treatment, the formulated active ingredients were applied to the surface of the soil immediately after the seeds had been sown. The compounds were emulsified or suspended in water as vehicle, and sprayed through finely distributing nozzles. The application rate was 0.03 kg of active ingredient per hectare. After the agents had been applied, the vessels were lightly sprinkler-irrigated to induce germination and growth. Transparent plastic covers were then placed on the vessels until the plants had taken root. The cover ensured uniform germination of the plants, insofar as this was not impaired by the active ingredients.

For the postemergence treatment, the plants were grown, depending on growth form, to a height of 3 to 15 cm before being treated. In this treatment method, either plants which had been sown in the pots and grown there were selected, or they were cultivated separately as seedlings and transplanted to the pots a few days before being treated. The application rates for postemergence treatment were 0.03 and 0.06 kg/ha. No covers were placed on the vessels in this method.

The pots were set up in the greenhouse, species from warmer climates in warmer areas (20° to 35° C.) and species from moderate climates at 10° to 20° C. The experiments were run for from 2 to 4 weeks. During this time the plants were tended and their reactions to the various treatments assessed. The assessment scale was 0 to 100, 100 denoting nonemergence or complete destruction of at least the visible plant parts, and 0 denoting no damage or normal growth.

The plants employed for the experiments were as follows:

    ______________________________________                                         Abbrev. Botanical name  Common name                                            ______________________________________                                         ABUTH   Abutilon theophrasti                                                                           velvet leaf                                            AMARE   Amaranthus retroflexus                                                                         redroot pigweed                                        BROIN   Bromus inermis  smooth broome                                          CHEAL   Chenopodium album                                                                              lambsquarters (goosefoot)                              CYPIR   Cyperus iria    flatsedge, rice                                        ECHCG   Echinochlora crus-galli                                                                        barnyardgrass                                          GALAP   Galium aparine  catchweed bedstraw                                     LAMAM   Lamium amplexicaule                                                                            henbit                                                 POAAN   Poa annua       annual bluegrass                                       STEME   Stellaria media chickweed                                              VERSS   Veronica spp.   speedwell                                              ______________________________________                                    

For comparison purposes, compounds from U.S. Pat. No. 4,169,719 having the structure A or B were employed and compared with the novel active ingredients in which R¹ has a carbalkoxy structure.

    ______________________________________                                          ##STR13##                    A,B                                              Comp. agent                                                                              R.sup.1                                                                              R.sup.2  Ex. in U.S. Pat. No. 4,169,719                        ______________________________________                                         A         Cl    OCH.sub.3                                                                               Tab. I-E                                              B         Cl    CH.sub.3 Tab.I-D                                               ______________________________________                                    

Compounds 2.002 and 1.004, applied postemergence at rates of 0.03 and 0.06 kg/ha, had an excellent action on unwanted broadleaved plants, whereas A and B were virtually ineffective at these concentrations.

Compound 2.002, applied preemergence at a rate of 0.03 kg/ha, combated unwanted dicotyledonous and monocotyledonous plants very well; here again, A and B were virtually ineffective.

                                      TABLE A                                      __________________________________________________________________________     Control of unwanted broadleaved plants on postmergence application of          0.03 kg/ha in the greenhouse                                                    ##STR14##                                  I                                  Compound        Test plants and % damage                                       No.   R    R'(= R.sup.8)                                                                       CYPIR                                                                               ECHCG                                                                               ABUTH                                                                               AMARE                                                                               GALAP                                                                               VERSS                                 __________________________________________________________________________     2.002 CO.sub.2 CH.sub.3                                                                   OCH.sub.3                                                                           100  98   98   100  100  100                                   A*    Cl   OCH.sub.3                                                                           0    0    0    0    0    0                                     B**   Cl   CH.sub.3                                                                            0    0    0    40   50   0                                     __________________________________________________________________________      A* = from U.S. Pat. No. 4,169,719 (Tab. IE)                                    B** = from U.S. Pat. No. 4,169,719 (Tab. ID)                             

                                      TABLE B                                      __________________________________________________________________________     Control of unwanted broadleaved plants on preemergence application of          0.03 kg/ha in the greenhouse                                                    ##STR15##                                            I                                        Test plants and % damage                                       Compound                                                                             R    R'(= R.sup.8)                                                                       BROIN                                                                               ECHCG                                                                               POAAN                                                                               AMARE                                                                               CHEAL                                                                               GALAP                                                                               VERSS                                                                               CYPIR                       __________________________________________________________________________     2.002 CO.sub.2 CH.sub.3                                                                   OCH.sub.3                                                                           98   98   98   98   98   95   100  100                         A*    Cl   OCH.sub.3                                                                           0    0    0    0    0    0    0    0                           B**   Cl   CH.sub.3                                                                            0    0    0    0    0    0    0    0                           __________________________________________________________________________      A* = from U.S. Pat. No. 4,169,719 (Tab. IE)                                    B** = from U.S. Pat. No. 4,169,719 (Tab. ID)                             

                  TABLE C                                                          ______________________________________                                         Control of unwanted broadleaved plants on postmergence                         application of 0.06 kg/ha of active ingredient no. 1.004                       in the greenhouse                                                               ##STR16##                                                                     Test plants   Damage in %                                                      ______________________________________                                         ABUTH         100                                                              AMARE         100                                                              CHEAL         100                                                              LAMAM         100                                                              STEME         100                                                              ______________________________________                                     

We claim:
 1. An N-(( 6-Trifluoromethylpyrimidin-2-yl)-aminocarbonyl)-2-carboalkoxybenzenesulfonamide of the formula Ib ##STR17## where the substituents have the following meanings: R⁵ is hydrogen, fluorine or chlorine,R⁶ is C₁ -C₃ -alkyl, R⁷ is hydrogen or methyl, and R⁸ is hydrogen or C₁ -C₂ -alkoxy.
 2. A compound as claimed in claim 1, where R⁶ is methyl.
 3. A compound as claimed in claim 1, wherein R⁸ is methoxy.
 4. A compound as claimed in claim 1, wherein R⁵ is hydrogen, R⁶ is methyl, R⁷ is hydrogen, and R⁸ is methoxy.
 5. A herbicidal composition which comprises a herbicidally effective amount of a compound as claimed in claim 1, or an agriculturally useful salt thereof, and conventional auxiliaries or diluents.
 6. A herbicidal composition which comprises a herbicidally effective amount of a compound as claimed in claim 2, or an agriculturally useful salt thereof, and conventional auxiliaries or diluents.
 7. A herbicidal composition which comprises a herbicidally effective amount of a compound as claimed in claim 3, or an agriculturally useful salt thereof, and conventional auxiliaries or diluents.
 8. A herbicidal composition which comprises a herbicidally effective amount of a compound as claimed in claim 4, or an agriculturally useful salt thereof, and conventional auxiliaries or diluents.
 9. A process for combating unwanted plants, wherein a herbicidally effective amount of the compound claimed in claim 1, or an agriculturally useful salt thereof is applied to the plants and/or their habitat.
 10. A process for combating unwanted plants, wherein a herbicidally effective amount of the compound claimed in claim 2, or an agriculturally useful salt thereof is applied to the plants and/or their habitat.
 11. A process for combating unwanted plants, wherein a herbicidally effective amount of the compound claimed in claim 3, or an agriculturally useful salt thereof is applied to the plants and/or their habitat.
 12. A process for combating unwanted plants, wherein a herbicidally effective amount of the compound claimed in claim 4, or an agriculturally useful salt thereof is applied to the plants and/or their habitat. 